Paseo Neighborhood Association

Paseo Neighborhood Association

PASEO, A Neighborhood in the Remaking

Dotted with small family dairies, one of Oklahoma City's first sub-divisions was platted as Guernsey Park Place. From 1910 to 1930, modest frame bungalows and small brick cottages were built at the end of the Shattel Streetcar line. Not until the late 1920's did the area become an exclusive suburb. A well-known local developer, Dr. G. A. Nichols, developed the first suburban shopping district on a two-block curved street. This development now is the namesake for the entire neighborhood, The Paseo.
To support his business district, "Doc" Nichols constructed twelve of the "best apartments" in the city. For almost fifty years, the Paseo was a fashionable address which housed the lawn chair society. Over the years, the stability of the Paseo ebbed and flowed with the economy of the city. In the 1980's the drastic downturn of the oil industry created a housing glut and there were newer, larger houses and apartments all over the city. Coinciding with the decline in the economy, was the age of the neighborhood. Residents were leaving homes to children who neither wanted or needed them. As properties were abandoned, crime quickly moved in causing greater decline of the area.

In late 1987, at the urging of The Neighborhood Alliance of Oklahoma City, the City Council designated the Paseo neighborhood as a pilot revitalization project. The decline of the Paseo was adversely affecting many surrounding stable neighborhoods. If such a project could be successful here, it could be duplicated in other areas.

NEIGHBORHOOD VISION

A survey of the homeowners in the Paseo defined the hopes and dreams for the area as a neighborhood that:

... has affordable, quality housing
...is economically and ethnically diverse
...is safe and crime free
...has a revitalized commercial area ...encourages the growth of the artists colony ...is self-reliant
. ..maintains its historic significance.THE PASEO REVITALIZATION STRATEGY

At the request of the City Council a large group of volunteers was invited to participate in the development of the project. After numerous meetings the first year with the City Planning staff, it became evident that sixteen members were dedicated to the completion of the project. Drawn from a broad base in the community, with a heavy emphasis on Paseo residents, the Committee represented surrounding neighborhoods, a church, the Board of Realtors, financial institutions, the commercial district and the city planning department.

The committee met for over eighteen months asking tough questions, seeking professional advice when available, defining goals and developing a mission statement. At one point, The National Trust for Historic Preservation visited the project and determined it was very possible and encouraged the group to continue its process. During the planning stage, an open line of communication was developed with the entire neighborhood to insure their support. In January, 1990, the Paseo Plan was presented to the City Council and adopted in the OKC PLAN. The next twelve months were dedicated to developing design guidelines for rehabilitating the houses and apartments. These guidelines were presented to the City Council in ordinance form that could be enforced as renovation began. Also, appropriate rezoning was adopted to support the Plan.

In 1991, the Paseo Revitalization Committee, having completed its planning and assessment stages, created The Oklahoma City Housing Services Redevelopment Corporation, a non-profit Community Development Corporation. The C.D.C. operates under the trade name, POSITIVELY PASEO! This year was devoted to identifying funding sources for construction and permanent loans. The C.D.C. also began its search for operating funds to oversee the implementation stage of the project.

The Revitalization Strategy is basically divided into three phases. The first phase covers the first three and a half years (1988-1991) devoted to organization, planning, fund raising and identifying the programs needed to carry out the Plan. The second phase (1992-1995) provided tangible accomplishments in terms of housing renovation, crime reduction and establishing of social services needed to support the neighborhood. Phase three (1996-1998) continued the programs of the Revitalization Plan with continued reevaluation of necessary services and housing needs. It is not anticipated that all the problems of the Paseo will be solved in ten years. There will still be vacant houses to be renovated and lower income residents in need of services and adequate housing. It is anticipated, however, that the six year effort will demonstrate that Paseo is a viable neighborhood, capable of attracting home owners and supporting commercial investment. This should provide the basis for continued support by the private and public sectors to continue this and similar projects.

KEY PROGRAM AREAS

Five program areas are crucial to the overall success of the project: Housing,
Economic Revitalization, Community Services, Public Safety and Public Image.

Housing - Large numbers of vacant houses, a high level of absentee landlords, difficulty in obtaining financing and the low level of income have made rehabilitation difficult. Recently, due to C.R.A., financial institutions are looking more favorably at low income housing investments. A private developer has made a commitment to the renovation of the 12 eight-plex apartment buildings.

Economic Growth - For the revitalization of the Paseo to be long-lasting, the overall income of the residents must increase. Services along the 23rd Street corridor must support the needs of residents of the area. Recently the Urban Land Institute addressed the need for the city to commit to developing a shopping district uninterrupted by fast food businesses. Also the recognition of a viable artists colony and the promotion of their work will add to the growth of the Paseo Street.

Community Outreach - The recent gift, of a 7,500 square foot commercial building and two vacant lots, to the C.D.C. will provide a much needed community center and children's playground. The community center will house three non-profit organizations serving the neighborhood as well as meeting space for use by the other near northwest neighborhoods and social services groups. The center will provide a communication center that empowers the residents through networking. The playground will demonstrate to the youth that they are as important as renovating houses.

Public Safety - Like many other urban areas, The Paseo is battling drugs and prostitution. Ongoing support of the Neighborhood Watch, private security patrols and added police protection will continue to make an impact on the problem. The neighborhood's efforts must be supported over the next three years and a constant vigil kept to prevent further encroachment of crime.

Public Image - The image of The Paseo that is presented to greater Oklahoma City will affect the long-term success of the revitalization project. The Paseo's assets are often overshadowed by public perception that it is an unsafe and undesirable place to live. Not only must greater Oklahoma City learn of the revitalization project underway, it must also be aware of the fine elementary and middle schools in the area and the strong focus on the arts. Paseo residents must also celebrate the history and assets of the neighborhood. Most residents live in the Paseo by choice, not necessarily by necessity. The next three years must be a time to focus on the worth of the neighborhood and to celebrate the opportunities available in the renovation project.